Subtopic: Aquifer, aquitard, aquiclude, and aquifuge
Question Statement:
A geological formation that contains water and transmits it at an extremely slow rate, inadequate for economic well yields but sufficient for regional seepage between aquifers, is termed an:
Options:
(A) Aquitard (e.g. sandy clay)
(B) Aquifer (e.g. coarse gravel)
(C) Aquiclude (e.g. solid clay)
(D) Aquifuge (e.g. unfractured granite)
Answer Key:
A
Step-by-Step Solution & Explanation
Definitions in groundwater hydrology:
- Aquifer: porous, permeable, economic water yields.
- Aquitard: semi-pervious formation transmitting water very slowly (leakage).
- Aquiclude: porous, contains water, but impermeable (e.g., clay).
- Aquifuge: neither porous nor permeable (e.g., solid granite).